Alan McCracken, an agricultural and mechanical engineering expert with decades of international experience, shares insights on the evolving landscape of agricultural aviation. Drawing from his work across 100+ countries, McCracken discusses the complementary role of drones in agricultural spraying, emphasizing their benefits for smaller areas while highlighting safety concerns with larger unmanned aircraft. He advocates for maintaining piloted aircraft for large-scale operations and suggests integrating new technologies to enhance pilot safety and efficiency.
McCracken’s unique perspective comes from his extensive background working with chemical applications in agriculture across multiple continents, including Ireland, Hungary, Brazil, Philadelphia, and Switzerland. He offers practical insights on the future of agricultural aviation, emphasizing the importance of balancing innovation with safety and experience.